Session 47, VP2

 Shortly after their relaxing beach episode, the time came to bid their friends farewell. Naivara had decided that Brunick needed help “spiritually recovering” from his recent tribulations: she would stay in Forgerun for the time being, to ensure his prime health. Bergie & Gunnar were saddened at this parting, but wished her well before departing to the North-West.

 

When the itch to wander began to grow in Party 2, they began to discuss their options. Thankfully, there was no pressing matters for them to worry over at the moment. Intrigued by the upcoming tournament- & the disappearing Pokemon Center attendant- they decided upon Hammerfest.

 

The group stopped by Brunick’s house to bid him a farewell. But…as they approached his house, they noticed his forge was cold. When they went to knock on the door, they discovered it was not fully closed or locked. Anxiety built as Lauren called out, receiving no response. Finally, they pushed the door open in a panic.

 

Much like the forge, the interior of the cabin was dark. Not a single ember lived within. At the far end of the room stood the silhouette of a man. There was a sound of rushing fabric as the figure swirled their cape towards the party.

 

On cue, the fireplace blossomed. Our heroes let out a collective sigh as they saw it was Brunick, dressed in an elaborate costume. In a stage voice, he welcomed the trainers, claiming to know they must soon go. Before they could, he wished to test their mettle in battle! With no further words, he led the way towards the town’s gym/theater.

 

Though the building itself was still in the process of being rebuilt, the townsfolk had put together a free-standing stage nearby. Brunick leapt aboard, & called his challengers up. Pokemon were released on both sides, as the Fire Gym Leader took them all on at once.

 

Heavy attacks singed the air. There was practically an ebb & flow to the battle; nearly as soon as one Pokemon claimed a victory, it was thereafter defeated in turn. Yet, one by one, our heroes took down Brunick’s team. When his last fighter was recalled, Brunick bowed graciously.

 

Dropping both the theatrical air & his cape, he explained that he knew the trainers were strong enough, but had wanted to fairly give them his Gym Rune. From his own pauldron, he pulled four bursts of dark orange light. The sparks danced around each other, before searing themselves into our heroes Gym Pauldrons & Bracers. The Torchbearer Rune was now theirs!

 

Brunick also gifted them with the TM for Sunny Day, a personal favorite. Having worked up an appetite from the fight, Brunick sat on the edge of the stage with the group for a small lunch. The blacksmith waited until their mouths were full before he thanked the heroes for all the help they had lent to the town. And, he explained with a smile, he was not the only one who wanted to show gratitude…

 

All of the townsfolk came trundling into the clearing. Some were carrying instruments, while others were in strange costumes. Costumes that…no, it couldn’t be. Was it? Oh dear. The townsfolk were dressed up as the party!

 

The crowd quickly burst into song, as they performed a one act play recounting the business with Solgaleo. Some of our heroes were flattered, while others were embarrassed. Still, it was at least a small bit flattering. When the townsfolk finished, there was a beat of awkward silence before the party clapped for the performance.

 

Wisely waiting until the townsfolk had dispersed, Brunick let out a quiet laugh. He’d guessed that the group would not know how to react to the little play he’d organized. When everyone had calmed down once more, he asked if there were anything he could do for the group as personal thanks.

 

The group mused over this offer for a few moments. The only thing they could think of would be if Brunick could do something to convince Skirlic they deserved a second chance. He agreed to write a short letter of introduction, & moved to fetch his cape.

 

As he bent to retrieve the garment, Brunick was suddenly drop-kicked off of the stage by a dark blur. Sixten landed in a fighting stance. The party explained to the dunce hero that Brunick was a friend, & managed to get him to apologize.

 

For his part, Brunick was unhurt: his endurance training with his Pokemon more than made up for what damage Sixten was able to do. Though he remained fairly civil towards the…unexpected guest, Brunick made it a point to flex all of his muscles at once. His shirt practically burst off of him as he did so.

 

Before the blacksmith could leave, Reinhold walked over to him. Taking out a series of sketches & notes, he asked if it would be possible to make a sword matching the specifications.  Brunick studied them before nodding. He asked the group to meet him at his home the next morning & took his momentary leave.

 

Sixten had continued posing nearby while this occurred. With Brunick gone, the group asked the martial artist where he intended to travel next. His hair blew in the breeze as he loosed another pithy one-liner. Happy to hear he wasn’t intending to accompany them, the trainers wished him good luck in his trek. The trainers spent the rest of the day stocking up on supplies in town.

 

The next morning, our heroes visited Brunick’s cabin for the final time. He was already hard at work, prepping his forge. Reinhold discussed more specifics of the sword he had envisioned as the blacksmith nodded along.

 

Surprisingly, Brunick turned to Bronze once the details were settled. The capture specialist had previously expressed an interest in learning to meld steel: Brunick asked if she would like to get some “field training” by helping him. She readily agreed, ever eager to learn a new skill.

 

The pair set to as the forge burned hot. Bronze produced some trophies from the group’s battles with Solgaleo to mix into the core of the sword. In a kind & steady voice, Brunick walked Bronze through the crafting process. The sword was quenched some time later. Even when it was fully cooled, there was still an odd sheen of heat to its edge- perhaps a remnant of Solgaleo’s power.

 

A hilt & cross-guard were applied, making the blade complete. After inspecting it thoroughly, Brunick handed it over with his letter of introduction. He thanked the party once more for their aid, & told them he hoped to see them again in the future. For now, they could no longer stay…

 

Their first days of travel from Forgerun passed easily. Though rain followed them, it was thankfully light. When they neared Skald’s Echo, Donner asked for the tale of Meloetta to be told, having read some of it in Lauren’s notes. The story was shared along with dinner around a comforting campfire. Watches were set, & the group settled down to sleep.

The Sun had been up for some time when the trainers finally awoke. Who had the final watch of the night? They hadn’t woken the group as usual. Upon investigation, it was clear what had happened: Reinhold was unconscious in his watch seat. The sleep enveloping him was unnatural, clearly the work of some Pokemon.

 

It took a bit to rouse him, so the group double-checked that no one was missing or hurt. Everyone was present & accounted for…but all of their backpacks were missing. Bronze’s eyes gleamed as she looked for any tracks the thieves had left behind. Once she had found the beginning of the trail, she & the Pokemon capable of tracking began to lead the group North.

 

The shape of the footprints indicated that the culprits seemed to be Pokemon: four sets, all varying sizes. Hours passed as the party pursued their quarry as fast as they were able. Shortly after noon, a Drowzee, Hypno, & Electabuzz could be spotted through the brush ahead. Each bore a backpack as they trudged away.

 

Seeing their belongings gave the trainers a much-needed burst of energy. Bronze beaned the Electabuzz with a Pokeball, knocking it off-balance. As its allies turned to help, Reinhold leapt into their midst to attack.

 

Something seemed off to Sylvie as the trainers readied for a fight. There had been four sets of prints, yet there appeared to only be three Pokemon. Closing her eyes, she focused her extranormal senses on the area. There! She pointed to the left of the battle, alerting her friends. As if a pane of glass was shattered, something became visible in an instant.

 

Looming over the group stood a horrifying, hulking form. Matted grey fur covered flabby, lesioned skin. A grotesquely large black nose dominated the beast’s face. Its closed eyes radiated an overwhelming sense of menace, & rapid movement could be seen beneath its off-putting eyelids. Tight within its grubby claws it held a round tree stump like a pillow- or a bludgeon.

 

The disgusting Komala let out a thunderous snore that shook the very earth. What fresh hell was this?!